her into submission. But it seemed she was actually considering it.
Savagely he repressed a smile, knowing it would surely reveal his rapaciousness. Lina had sorely tested him and now, with the echo of his proposition hanging in the air between them, it was hard to claw back even a fraction of the self-denial he’d worked hard to maintain.
‘I only take lovers for a week. That’s all the time I can spare.’ Having a self-imposed deadline ensured he’d return his focus to his official responsibilities and not be tempted into a life of sybaritic luxury like his uncle.
To his amazement, Lina’s lips twitched. Was that a hint of amusement dancing in her eyes? What had happened to the virago who taunted and obstructed him?
‘Because you’re in such demand?’
Sayid felt a smile tug at the corners of his mouth, until she lifted her hands from the desk and straightened. Instantly he missed her nearness, but he resisted the impulse to stalk around the desk and crowd her.
He was too proud to try to coerce her. Wasn’t he?
‘Because I believe in setting limits. Pleasure can become a weakness if it’s uncontrolled.’
Slowly she nodded. ‘I see. Plus of course you wouldn’t want any woman getting ideas of permanency.’
It was true, but that had never been a problem. Once he’d had his week with a woman she was sent off with a fond farewell and enough lavish gifts to sweeten the parting.
Sayid didn’t bother to mention that his women were usually foreigners, more ready to accept a week of luxury and erotic pleasure for what it was—mutual enjoyment with no strings attached. It struck him that Lina’s attitude reflected the years she’d lived away from Halarq. Most Halarqi women would expect marriage before sex. But she took this proposition in her stride. It seemed her mores were more western than Halarqi now. No doubt she’d sampled those western freedoms. That probably explained too her unwillingness to marry.
He was torn between pleasure that she’d been more amenable to his suggestion and a stirring of vague discontent at the idea of her with other men. Even the notion of her leaving the palace and settling down some time in the future with a worthy husband was strangely disquieting.
Sayid yanked his straying thoughts back in line.
‘You’re not saying anything.’ The lengthening silence goaded him. He was used to women falling over themselves to please him. Firmly he repressed the voice of his conscience protesting that what he asked was scandalous and indecent—taking advantage of a woman under his protection.
Yet the situation wasn’t so simple. It was clear Sayid had to re-evaluate Lina. Yes, she was under his protection, but she wasn’t afraid to stand up to him and speak her mind.
‘I’m surprised.’ For a second she looked away and he wondered if, after all, he was wrong. Was she distressed? Then she slanted her gaze in his direction and he felt that bone-deep sizzle of sensual connection. ‘I didn’t think you wanted me like that.’
‘Even after last night?’ It seemed impossible.
She shrugged, yet he had the impression she wasn’t as composed as before. ‘Men respond to certain stimuli. We were almost naked and I told you I wanted you to kiss me.’ She paused and made a production of pushing her hair back over her shoulders. ‘I assumed it was more to do with the moment than me.’
Sayid crossed his arms over his chest and felt the pound of his heart, heavy and quick. Thinking about that embrace had occupied most of the night, in between devising a scheme to get Lina out of the palace.
Now he decided the palace was exactly the place for her. Specifically in his bed.
‘You assumed wrong.’ His voice dropped to a rough note that made her start. Had he frightened her? She might be experienced but Sayid was a man of strong passions and right now they simmered close to the surface.
Lina tilted her head as if to read him better, but he had no intention of saying more, lest he find himself trying to persuade her to accept. He’d never begged for a woman in his life and he wasn’t about to begin.
‘I...see.’ She fiddled with the scarf knotted around her waist. So she was nervous after all. He told himself to back off, but he couldn’t.
‘And your answer?’ The words were abrupt, not at all lover-like.
‘I’ll have to think about it.’
* * *
‘O seu Xeque é bastante atraente.’ Your sheikh is very handsome.
Even in Portuguese the words made Lina shiver. Not her sheikh, though she didn’t bother to say that to Senhora Neves, sitting beside her at the royal feast.
But he could be yours. All you have to do is say yes.
A ripple of decadent delight shivered across Lina’s skin, raising goosebumps against the slippery fabric of the dress she’d spent the afternoon finishing. She shifted in her seat, crossing her legs.
Would she say yes to his outrageous suggestion?
Could she?
It went against everything she’d been taught or ever expected for herself. Yet temptation was strong.
‘E ele olha para você o tempo todo.’ And he looks at you all the time.
Lina’s head swung round towards the head of the table where Sayid was talking to one of his governors and Senhor Neves, the head of the Brazilian mining consortium bidding to open up newly discovered deposits of gems on the edge of the desert. The Emir’s attention was fixed on his companions, not her.
If he’d glanced this way it was just to see if she was holding her own with Senhora Neves. The woman spoke no Arabic and little English and the interpreter Sayid had arranged had been struck down with tonsillitis.
Lina smiled. ‘Ele está apenas preocupado com o meu Português.’ He’s just worried about my Portuguese.
The other woman shook her head. ‘Eu não acho que ele esteja a pensar em habilidades linguísticas.’ I don’t think it’s your language skills on his mind.
Heat scalded Lina’s throat and cheeks. Surely he wasn’t so obvious?
The older woman placed a hand on her arm and gently changed the subject, asking where Lina had purchased her dress, then expressing admiration when she discovered it was home-made.
Slowly Lina let herself relax. She should be pleased her rather basic Portuguese, learned from some of the girls at school, allowed her to keep Senhora Neves company tonight. Pleased too at the compliments over her dressmaking skill. She’d laboured over this dress, wanting to look her best so she wouldn’t seem too out of place among tonight’s sophisticated guests.
Who was she fooling? She wanted to look good for Sayid. Wanted him to admire her as he admired the women he usually invited to share his bed.
Why had he invited her to be his lover?
She still found it hard to believe
